Nairobi, 10 August 2007
- The Executive Director of the United Nations
Environment Programme, Achim Steiner met today
in Nairobi with H.E. Mr. Didace Pembe Bokiaga,
Minister of Environment, Nature Conservation,
Water and Forestry of the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC). They reviewed in detail the
escalating situation in the Virunga National
Park, which resulted recently in the death
of a park ranger and injuries to others, as
well as the death of a number of mountain
gorillas, the rarest of the great apes.
"The instability surrounding the Virungas
is an illustration of the unfolding human
and environmental tragedy. The park is home
to 50% of the mountain gorilla population
and to numerous other endemic and endangered
species. As such, it is the duty of the international
community to assist the DRC authorities",
said Mr. Steiner at the conclusion of the
meeting.
Based on a request from the Minister, he
announced the immediate dispatch of a UNEP
technical team to assist the Congolese authorities
and stressed the need to stabilize the situation
around the National Park. The Executive Director
is in contact with other UN partners based
in the Congo to that effect.
"The continuing problems in the Virungas
reveal the need for a sustainable solution
to the management of the Park and other protected
areas in DRC", Mr. Steiner said. He underlined
that any lasting approach must involve the
local communities and the protection of their
livelihoods, and he pledged to support the
Government in identifying appropriate courses
of action.
"I am also very pleased that other partners
of UNEP are conscious of the necessity to
provide assistance, such as UNESCO and a number
of non-governmental organizations, with whom
we collaborate in the Great Apes Survival
Project (GRASP)", he added.
During the meeting with Minister Pembe, the
Executive Director agreed to work with the
Government of the DRC to develop a post conflict
environmental assessment programme which will
take into account issues of capacity building,
waste management, the development of a framework
environmental law, and legislation to strengthen
the forestry code. A commitment was also made
for the rehabilitation of the Presidential
Park of N'Sele.
While in Nairobi, H.E. Mr. Pembe, in his
capacity as Chair of the Meetings of the Parties
to the Montreal Protocol, also held also consultations
with UNEP's officials in prelude to the 19th
meeting of the Partners and the celebration
of the 20th anniversary of the Montreal protocol.
